The Central Committee of Vietnam Students’ Association (VSA) has expressed strong objection to China’s illegal installation of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

In a statement issued on May 28, the committee said China’s move gravely violates international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to which China itself is a signatory.

The Vietnam Students’ Association demands that China immediately withdraw its rig and escort ships from Vietnam’s waters.

It also stressed that Vietnamese students will do their utmost to maintain and further strengthen the friendship between the two countries’ students, adding that they always hope for peace in Vietnam, China and all another countries over the world.

Through the statement, the VSA Central Committee called on students in China as well as all over the word to raise their voices to demand China stop its unlawful actions in the East Sea, contributing to maintaining the friendship among nations, and peace, stability and security in the region and the world.

On May 2, China stationed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

On May 27, China moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 22 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 36 seconds east longitude. The new location is 25 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago and 23 nautical miles east-northeast from the old location, still completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf. With the move, China has kept on violating Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction.-VNA